Although the above example may look extreme in a busy corporate office, it is vital to the mental and physical well being of the team, they have quiet time to reflect on their challenges and to spur creative juices.
It turns out that as much as they need social interactions, they also require quiet time to help grow as employees and leaders.
Here are five ways to help build a culture of alone and quiet time.
Quiet Quotients
- Make vacation mandatory for every employee.
According to Project: Time Off, Americans wasted a record-setting 658,000,000 vacation days last year. Workers cited three reasons for not taking vacation:- 37% said returning to a mountain of work
- 35% stated no one else can do the job
- 33% said they cannot afford a vacation.However, they are missing the primary point. Vacations replenish creative energy, starve off burnout and help reduce turnover – something every organization large or small, is interested in.
- Don’t make employees work nights and weekends.
Let them leave work at work. It is easy to send a text, voicemail and email out and when you think of it, but resist the temptation and wait until the workday begins. - Give team members a Mental Health Day.
If they must work overtime or on weekends because a project deadline demands it, give your team members one or more paid Mental Health Days.I remember when my son was in high school and he needed a break from the daily grind that a senior year can bring. He told me he needed one of these days and I obliged by taking off the day myself! We had so much fun – by going shopping, eating out and enjoying a movie. It was a special bonding moment for us both and I will always remember it, even though the days at work became a blur. - Build “me” time into everyone’s schedule.
Don’t have teammates sit at their desk all day. Here are some helpful tips to build in quiet time and enhance office relationships:- Get away from the work space every 30-60 minutes.
- Go outside, be quiet and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and let your mind rest.
- See if there is enough interest to conduct meditation classes during the lunch hour. These do not have to be long – they can be 10-20 minutes in length.
- Read and use the tips from Mindful Work.
- Ask team members to follow the 24-hour rule.
Many emails and phone calls do not need to be addressed immediately. Unless a decision must be made at that moment, wait and reflect on your decision. Use quiet time to meditate about your answer; I actually do this and it works!
In summary, try and find quiet time wherever you go. Surrender to the silence and put away your smartphone for a few minutes. Take in the natural surroundings. Focus on your breathing. Enjoy the simple pleasures.
About Fun Team Building
Participate in fun and energizing team building activities that turbo-charge morale, teach respect, and build trust. Fun Team Building’s Larry Lipman understands the importance of quiet time. He can help your team build the right environment to support it. Give Larry a call at 770.333.3303 today!